Port of Duqm shipping means moving cargo through Oman's deep-water port on the Arabian Sea coast of Al Wusta, about 550 km south of Muscat. The port has an 18 m draft along a 2.2 km commercial quay and handles containers, breakbulk, heavy-lift project cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk and Ro-Ro. This guide covers each terminal, the dangerous goods rules, the economic zone around the port and how we plan a shipment to Duqm from Dubai. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Duqm, and from Duqm to Dubai.
Port of Duqm at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Port company | The Port of Duqm Company (PODC), a 50:50 joint venture of ASYAD Group and Consortium Antwerp Port |
| Consortium partners | Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and DEME Concessions |
| Container terminal operator | Asyad Terminals Duqm (ATD) |
| UN/LOCODE | OMDQM |
| Location | Duqm, Al Wusta Governorate, about 550 km south of Muscat |
| In operation since | 2012 |
| Commercial quay | 2.2 km, linear |
| Draft alongside | 18 m (Ro-Ro berth 10 m) |
| Approach channel | 19 m deep |
| Breakwaters | About 8.7 km in total |
| Container terminal (ATD) | Three berths on more than 1,000 m of quay, 26,000 TEU yard storage, more than 600 reefer points |
| Planned container capacity | About 3.5 million TEU a year across two terminals |
| Dry bulk capacity | About 5 million tonnes a year |
| Multipurpose terminal capacity | About 800,000 tonnes a year |
| Economic zone | Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), 2,000 sq km |
| Customs system | Bayan (Oman Customs) |
| Duqm to Dubai | Bayan export declaration by the shipper or its agent; Dubai Customs declaration, GCC-origin goods treated as national goods, others 5% duty on CIF; 5% import VAT |
| Nearest airport | Duqm, about 20 km from the port |
What is the Port of Duqm and why do shippers use it?
Duqm sits on the Arabian Sea in central Oman, far from the country's other cargo ports. Sohar is in the north and Salalah is in the far south. If your consignee is a project site, plant or contractor in Al Wusta, Duqm puts the cargo next to the job instead of at the end of a long truck run.
The Port of Duqm Company acts as port authority, landlord and, for some terminals, terminal operator. Asyad lists the port as operating since 2012, with a multi-purpose feeder line to the main regional ports. The port is the sea gateway for the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), which covers 2,000 sq km and includes a refinery with 230,000 barrels per day of capacity.
The terminals list steel plates, OCTG, line pipe and heavy-lift project units among their main cargo, which tells you who the port is built for: industry and projects in the zone. That is why the breakbulk and heavy-lift facilities matter as much as the container berths.
Which terminals does the Port of Duqm have?
The commercial quay is split into separate terminals. Your cargo type decides which one you deal with, and each has its own equipment and handling tariff.
| Terminal | Quay and depth | Equipment and yard | Main cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Container (ATD) | More than 1,000 m, three berths, 18 m | 4 remote-controlled ship-to-shore cranes (65 t each, twin-lift), 12 rubber-tyred gantries, 26,000 TEU storage, 600+ reefer points | FCL, reefer, transshipment |
| Multipurpose | Part of the 2.2 km commercial quay, 18 m alongside | 2 Gottwald 125 t mobile harbour cranes (250 t in tandem), 3 reach stackers of 45 t, forklifts up to 25 t, 20 ha open yard | Steel plates, OCTG and line pipe, heavy-lift and over-dimensional project cargo, breakbulk |
| Dry bulk | Over 300 m, 18 m guaranteed | 2 shore cranes of 125 t SWL with 12 cbm grabs, about 10 ha | Limestone and dolomite exports; industrial salt and oil and gas related bulk imports |
| Liquid bulk | Seven berths on a dedicated jetty | About 70 ha of reclaimed land, linked to the Duqm refinery | Refined petroleum product exports |
| Ro-Ro | 10 m draft | Vehicle handling | Cars and rolling equipment |
| Government berth | 980 m | Separate from the commercial quay | Government vessels |
The port's terminals page says the multipurpose terminal works 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Asyad container terminal
Asyad started operations at the new container terminal in January 2024. Its four ship-to-shore cranes can each lift two containers at once, and the terminal can work three ships at the same time. The Port of Duqm says container capacity is being expanded from about 200,000 TEU towards 1.7 million TEU, with a long-term plan for two container terminals of about 3.5 million TEU a year.
The reefer points matter for one specific trade: the port promotes refrigerated exports, mainly fish from the Duqm fishing industry. For imports, the reefer stock means chilled and frozen boxes can wait at the terminal while customs and health checks run.
Port services for vessels and cargo
Asyad lists MARPOL reception facilities, fresh water, fuel bunkering and ship-to-ship transfer at several anchorage areas. Vessel paperwork goes through the port's VTS office, which receives the pre-arrival notification report and the vessel document checklist. The port publishes a list of 18 registered shipping agents, so your carrier's agent in Duqm will be on that list.
Container shipping to the Port of Duqm: FCL and LCL
Duqm is not a hub like Jebel Ali, so how your box gets there depends on the carrier's network. There are two common patterns:
- A mainline or regional service that calls Duqm directly. CMA CGM began a regular service to the Asyad Container Terminal in December 2025, linking Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East.
- A feeder from a hub. When Maersk made its first delivery to Duqm in 2019, the box moved through Jebel Ali and then on Oman Shipping's weekly express feeder, which also called Salalah and Sohar.
Services change often at a port that is still growing. Before you promise a delivery date, we check which carriers currently accept bookings to OMDQM and whether the box goes direct or transships.
[AMIR-FACT: carriers and typical door-to-port transit time we currently see for FCL from Jebel Ali to Duqm, and whether we usually route direct or via a hub]
LCL into Duqm is harder to arrange than FCL. Few consolidators run a direct box to such a small market, so LCL often moves to Sohar or Muscat and then by road. For anything over about half a container, compare a 20 ft FCL against LCL plus trucking. Our guide to FCL vs LCL explains the trade-off.
Breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo at Duqm
This is where Duqm stands out. The multipurpose terminal is built for the cargo that oil, gas and industrial projects need: steel plates, oil country tubular goods (OCTG), line pipe and over-dimensional units. Two 125 t mobile harbour cranes can work in tandem up to 250 t, and the 20 ha open yard gives laydown space next to the berth.
Liner breakbulk services have also called. In 2019 the Marhaba Express breakbulk service discharged about 500 tonnes of steel pipes at Duqm and loaded three separators of about 160 tonnes each, measuring 27.3 m long. That shows the port works pieces of that size, but always check the current crane plan for your lift.
| Cargo | Usual way in | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Pipes, OCTG, steel plate | Breakbulk vessel or flat racks | Bundle weights, lashing, yard space |
| Modules and vessels up to 125 t | Breakbulk or heavy-lift ship, one harbour crane | Lifting points, centre of gravity, drawings |
| Single pieces up to 250 t | Tandem lift with both harbour cranes | Lift plan approval, crane availability on the day |
| Pieces above 250 t | Heavy-lift vessel using ship's gear | Ship's cranes, quay bearing, onward transport route |
| Out-of-gauge units that fit a flat rack | Flat rack or open top on a container service | Carrier acceptance, overheight and overwidth |
We prepare the cargo list, drawings and lift data, book the space and plan origin trucking and loading in the UAE. See our breakbulk shipping service and our guide to the project cargo logistics process for how we plan these moves.
Dry and liquid bulk through Duqm
The dry bulk terminal handles about 5 million tonnes a year. Its main flows are exports of limestone and dolomite and imports of industrial salt and dry bulk linked to oil and gas. The liquid jetty serves the Duqm refinery and is used for exporting refined products.
For bulk from the UAE, Duqm is a real option if your buyer is in the zone. We arrange bulk charters and parcel space through our bulk cargo shipping service, and the charter party has to match the berth's 18 m draft and the terminal's discharge rate.
Dangerous goods at the Port of Duqm: notice periods and permits
The Port of Duqm publishes its own dangerous goods article as part of its port rules (PODC/HMO/003/MNL, effective 1 February 2024). The key rules for shippers:
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard DG notification | At least 24 hours before handling, to the port authority |
| Packaged goods | Handled under the IMDG Code |
| Class 1 explosives | Transport licence; notice to government authorities and the port at least 72 hours before handling; fire watch mandatory |
| Class 7 radioactive | Special permit for the terminal and a transport licence; 72 hours notice; no dwell on the quay or truck, direct handling only, exemptions by the harbour master up to 48 hours |
| Liquid and solid bulk DG | Notice at least 24 hours before handling |
| Terminals | Need a DG licence from the port to handle dangerous goods |
The notification must name the freight forwarder and the shipping agent, plus UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, net weight, outer packaging and the container number. For Class 3 cargo, the flashpoint is mandatory. So the safety data sheet and DG declaration need to be right before the box leaves the UAE, not when it arrives.
Our steps for DG to Duqm:
- We check the SDS, UN number, class and packing group against the carrier's DG acceptance.
- We confirm any Omani permit the consignee needs before booking.
- For Class 1 or Class 7, we only book once the consignee holds the transport licence.
- We send the DG data to the carrier early so the agent can notify the port on time.
More on DG by sea is on our dangerous goods shipping service page.
SEZAD: the economic zone behind the port
The port is inside the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, so many consignees are zone companies. Asyad lists these zone incentives for investors: 100% foreign ownership, income tax exemption for up to 30 renewable years, land usufruct for up to 99 years, and 0% import and re-export duties.
Two practical points follow. First, the zero duty applies to investors under the zone's rules, so your consignee must confirm its own status before you price the deal. Second, the zone is large, so check the delivery address. A site in the industrial area may be close to the gate, while other zone areas are much further.
Customs clearance for cargo landing at Duqm
Customs at Duqm follows the same national rules as every Omani port. Declarations go through Bayan, the Oman Customs system. The declarant creates the declaration, attaches the documents, submits and pays a fee of OMR 15 for companies or OMR 5 for individuals.
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| Core documents | Commercial invoice, certificate of origin from the manufacturer's country, export declaration from the exporting country, bill of lading |
| Customs duty | 5% GCC common external tariff on goods from outside the GCC, in force since 1 January 2003 |
| GCC-origin goods | Exempt with a purchase invoice and indication of origin; loose or liquid goods also need a Gulf origin certificate |
| VAT | 5% on most goods, including imports |
| Zone companies | Check SEZAD investor status for duty treatment |
Our Sohar guide covers Oman customs permits and document sets in full, so we keep this short here.
How to ship from Dubai to Duqm: step by step
- Send us the cargo details: commodity, HS code, weights, dimensions, packing and the delivery address in Duqm.
- We pick the mode. Containers go by sea on a direct or feeder service. Breakbulk and project cargo go on a breakbulk or heavy-lift vessel. Small or urgent loads can go by road through the Oman border.
- We check carrier calls at OMDQM, any transshipment and the cut-off at Jebel Ali or Khalifa Port.
- For DG or project cargo, we prepare the DG data or the lift drawings and get carrier acceptance.
- We arrange origin trucking, export clearance in the UAE and loading. Our Jebel Ali port shipping guide explains the origin side.
- Your consignee or their clearing agent in Oman files the Bayan declaration. We share the bill of lading, invoice, packing list and certificate of origin early.
- The consignee's agent collects the delivery order, pays port and terminal charges and arranges the truck from the port to site.
We do not have an office in Oman. We work with your consignee or a clearing agent at destination for the Oman side.
How to ship from Duqm to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Duqm to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Omani export papers stay with the shipper or its Omani agent.
The Oman export side
- Export declaration in Bayan. Oman Customs issues import, export and transit declarations through the same Bayan service. A registered Bayan user creates the declaration, picks the right coordinator code, attaches the documents and pays the fee. The shipper or its clearing agent in Oman files it.
- Documents. Commercial invoice and a certificate of origin, plus any permit the goods need.
- Origin matters more than usual. Goods made in Oman are GCC national goods, so the certificate of origin decides whether the UAE charges duty at all. Ask the shipper for it before booking.
- Goods from outside the GCC. If foreign goods already paid duty when they first entered Oman, the GCC customs union rule is that the destination state does not charge duty again when that payment is proven. The shipper needs the original Omani import papers for this.
The UAE import side
On arrival, the declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and any permit for restricted goods. Goods produced in a GCC member state are treated as national goods in every member state, so Omani-origin goods with a valid certificate of origin do not pay the 5% duty. Other goods pay 5% of the CIF value, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes, unless first-entry duty paid in Oman is proven. Import VAT is 5% of the customs value including freight and insurance, and a VAT-registered importer can account for it through the reverse charge on its VAT return. The importer needs a Dubai Customs business code, or clears through a licensed clearing agent.
- Send us the shipper's details in Duqm or SEZAD, the cargo, the HS code, the origin and the UAE delivery address.
- We pick sea or road and book the space or the truck, then send the cut-offs to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker delivers the cargo to the Duqm terminal inside the cut-off.
- The shipper or its Omani agent files the Bayan export declaration and gets the certificate of origin.
- We check the draft bill of lading and the origin papers against the invoice.
- We file the UAE declaration before arrival and arrange payment of any duty and VAT.
- We collect the delivery order, truck the cargo to your site and return any empty inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Duqm to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Port charges and free time at Duqm
The Port of Duqm publishes its tariffs online. The list for 2026 includes a marine tariff, a Ro-Ro tariff, an extra services tariff, a container handling charges sheet, gate pass and documentation charges, and an ATD stevedoring and shore handling tariff. Towage and pilotage rates come from the marine services contractor.
For cargo owners, the lines that matter are terminal handling, storage after free time, gate passes and documentation. Free time is set by the terminal and the carrier, so we confirm it on the booking. Empty-return deadlines for containers come from the carrier; our demurrage and detention guide explains how these charges build up.
Checklist before you ship to Duqm
- Confirm the carrier accepts bookings to OMDQM and whether the box transships.
- Confirm the exact delivery address in Duqm and the road access for your truck size.
- For project cargo, send drawings, weights and lifting points before booking.
- Check that single lifts fit the 125 t crane or the 250 t tandem lift, or book a geared vessel.
- For DG, check the SDS and allow for the 24-hour or 72-hour port notice.
- Ask the consignee whether it holds SEZAD investor status for duty.
- Make sure the invoice, packing list and certificate of origin match exactly.
- Name the Oman clearing agent before the vessel sails.
Common mistakes when shipping to Duqm
- Assuming every carrier calls Duqm because they call Sohar or Salalah.
- Booking LCL to Duqm without checking whether anyone runs a direct consolidation.
- Sending a heavy piece without a lift plan, then finding the crane is booked.
- Late DG paperwork, so the agent cannot notify the port 24 hours before handling.
- Pricing the deal at zero duty when the consignee is not a registered zone investor.
- Forgetting the long road leg when the site is outside the port area.
Duqm, Sohar or Salalah: which Omani port fits your cargo?
| Your situation | Port to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Site or plant in Al Wusta or SEZAD | Duqm | Port is next to the zone; avoids a long truck run |
| Heavy-lift or long pipes for an Al Wusta project | Duqm | 125 t harbour cranes, 250 t tandem, 20 ha laydown |
| General cargo for Muscat or northern Oman | Sohar | Closer to the main consumer market |
| Cargo for Dhofar | Salalah | Port is in the region |
| Small LCL lots | Usually Sohar, then road | More consolidation options |
If you need help choosing, our Dubai freight forwarding team can compare routings for your cargo.
Frequently asked questions
Which company operates the Port of Duqm?
The Port of Duqm Company runs the port. It is a 50:50 joint venture between ASYAD Group and Consortium Antwerp Port, made up of Port of Antwerp-Bruges International and DEME Concessions. Asyad Terminals Duqm operates the container terminal.
What is the port code for Duqm?
The UN/LOCODE for the Port of Duqm is OMDQM. You will see it on bookings, bills of lading and tracking systems.
How deep is the water at the Port of Duqm?
The port has an 18 m draft alongside its commercial quay and a 19 m approach channel. The Ro-Ro berth has a 10 m draft.
Can the Port of Duqm handle heavy-lift and project cargo?
Yes. The multipurpose terminal has two 125 t mobile harbour cranes that can lift 250 t in tandem, plus a 20 ha open yard for steel, pipes and project units. Heavier pieces need a vessel with its own heavy-lift gear.
Is there a direct container service to Duqm?
CMA CGM started a regular service to the Asyad Container Terminal in December 2025. Other carriers may route through a hub and feeder, so check the current schedule for your booking.
Can I ship dangerous goods to Duqm?
Yes, under the IMDG Code. The port must be notified at least 24 hours before handling, and Class 1 and Class 7 need a transport licence and 72 hours notice to the port and government authorities.
What is the customs duty on goods imported through Duqm?
Oman applies the 5% GCC common external tariff on goods from outside the GCC, plus 5% VAT on most imports. GCC-origin goods are exempt with proof of origin, and registered SEZAD investors can get 0% import duty.
Can you handle shipping from Duqm to Dubai?
Yes. We book the space from Duqm and clear and deliver the cargo in the UAE. The shipper or its Omani agent files the export declaration in Bayan. Omani-origin goods with a certificate of origin are treated as GCC national goods in the UAE; other goods pay 5% duty on CIF unless duty paid in Oman is proven. Import VAT is 5%.
How far is Duqm from Muscat?
Duqm is about 550 km south of Muscat. For cargo bound for a Duqm site, landing at Duqm avoids that long road leg from the north.
Does Anil Darya have an office in Duqm?
No. We book space, prepare documents, plan DG and project cargo and handle the UAE side, and we work with your consignee or a clearing agent in Oman for delivery.
Get a quote for Port of Duqm shipping
Tell us what you are moving and where it needs to go in Duqm. Use our freight rate inquiry form for a routing and price, or contact our team to talk through a project or DG shipment first. For the sea leg itself, see our sea freight service.
Sources
- Port of Duqm: Terminals (container, multipurpose, dry bulk, liquid bulk, Ro-Ro, equipment)
- Port of Duqm: About (joint venture, quay, draft, channel, roles)
- Port of Duqm: Dangerous Goods Article 2.2.2.4 of Port Rules and Regulations (February 2024)
- Port of Duqm: Procedures and forms
- Port of Duqm: Port tariffs (2026 list)
- Port of Duqm: Shipping agents
- ASYAD: Port of Duqm (quay, draft, services, SEZAD incentives, refinery)
- SEZAD: Port of Duqm project (breakwaters, basin, terminal capacities)
- Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Duqm Port, a vital corridor (February 2024)
- Oman Observer: Asyad container terminal starts operations in Duqm (January 2024)
- Oman Observer: CMA CGM launches service at the Port of Duqm (December 2025)
- Oman Observer: Maersk first container delivery to Duqm via Jebel Ali (October 2019)
- Oman Observer: Marhaba Express breakbulk service calls at Duqm (March 2019)
- Hellenic Shipping News: Duqm container terminal tender (July 2021)
- Find a Port: Port of Duqm (UN/LOCODE, drafts by berth type, airport distance)
- Wikipedia: Duqm Port (location, distance from Muscat)
- Oman Customs: Request to apply a customs declaration (Bayan import, export and transit declarations, documents, fees)
- Oman Customs: Customs exemptions (GCC products)
- UAE ICP: GCC customs union and common external tariff (GCC-produced goods treated as national goods, duty paid at first entry not reassessed)
- Oman Tax Authority: VAT FAQs
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, permits)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%, business code, licensed clearing agents)
- UAE Government portal: Clearing the customs and paying customs duty (GCC-origin goods treated as local goods)
- UAE Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide, import VAT at 5% and reverse charge
Reviewed: 10 November 2026